Our OT passage starts off with Hanum, king of the Ammonites, listening to extremely foolish advice, and embarrassing the ambassadors of King David instead of receiving David's message of consolation at the death of Hanum's father. What part of this plan sounded like a good idea?! Humiliate an adversary so you end up provoking him to war?
It seems ludicrous and oh so obvious. But how often do we do the same? We listen to foolish advice, because it's easier or because it's what we want to hear or because it strokes our ego. We need to be careful who we surround ourselves with, and to whom we go to for advice. And no matter how responsible or full of integrity they are, we still need to measure their advice against the commandments and principles of the Bible.
In our NT passage, I love the stories of Simeon and Anna - old and steadfastly faithful believers whom God chose to bless by allowing them to see the Messiah with their own eyes, and for them to know that the baby they were ministering to was the Christ. What an amazing experience this must have been for them. What a wonderful way to say, already in this present world "well done, good and faithful servants!"
We know that we will be rewarded in heaven someday and that we will experiences untold and unimaginable blessings that will make any hardship suffered on earth pale in comparison. But sometimes, maybe even oftentimes, God chooses to bless us on earth as well. Do we notice the blessings God gives us or do we take them for granted?
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: 1 Chronicles 22-24; Luke 3
3 comments:
17 And David said to God, “Was it not I who gave command to number the people? It is I who have sinned and done great evil. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O Lord my God, be against me and against my father's house. But do not let the plague be on your people.”
David took responsibility for his actions, do we do the same? It shows great character to admit when we're wrong and take responsibility, especially when others are effected by our sin.
And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
Even at a young age Jesus knew who his Father was. I had never really thought of at what age did Jesus know and understand his unique relationship with God?
4 But the king's word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came back to Jerusalem. 5 And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to David. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, and in Judah 470,000 who drew the sword. 6 But he did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, for the king's command was abhorrent to Joab.
But the king's word prevailed...
We have to listen to our bosses not matter what we think and even if we know we are right and they are wrong. They have leadership over us. Even if their orders are "abhorrent" to us we need to obey and let what happens happens. This was a good reminder for me.
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